Elaha

Elaha, a 22-year-old German-Kurdish woman, is about to get married. She is engaged to Nasim, the brother of her employer at a dry cleaner’s, and their wedding is due to take place in a few weeks’ time. When Elaha slips away to smoke with her friends at a party, the talk turns to the topic of how many young women in her community are expected to enter marriage as virgins. Some future in-laws even demand medical proof from a doctor. Elaha has already had sex and so this poses a problem: to have her hymen surgically reconstructed requires money which she does not have. Small capsules of fake blood can supposedly help to feign an intact maidenhead – but will it work? Elaha begins to question the rules: why does she have to be a virgin anyway, and for whom?
Performed with great commitment, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg graduate Milena Aboyan’s film revolves around a topic that is as personal as it is universal: sexual self-determination. Based on a nuanced screenplay, Aboyan illuminates all facets and stays very close to her complex and completely authentic protagonist.
by Milena Aboyan
with Bayan Layla, Armin Wahedi, Derya Dilber, Derya Durmaz, Cansu Leyan
Germany 2023 German,  Kurdish,  Subtitles: English,  German 110’ Colour World premiere | Debut film

Perspektive Match

On February 20, actor Bayan Layla will be a guest of the Perspektive Match series of films and talks.

With

  • Bayan Layla (Elaha)
  • Armin Wahedi (Nasim)
  • Derya Dilber (Shilan)
  • Derya Durmaz (Mother)
  • Cansu Leyan (Berivan)
  • Beritan Balci (Dilan)
  • Slavko Popadić (Jusuf)
  • Nazmi Kırık (Father)
  • Réber Ibrahim (Sami)
  • Homa Faghiri (Nihal)
  • Hadnet Tesfai (Stella Zahaye)

Crew

DirectorMilena Aboyan
ScreenplayMilena Aboyan, Constantin Hatz
CinematographyChristopher Behrmann
EditingElias Ben Engelhardt
SoundPerschya Chehrazi
MusicKilian Oser
Sound DesignPerschya Chehrazi
Production DesignNora Balmer, Christina Mammes
CostumesPaulina Immig, Lara Scherpinski
Make-UpMilena Lazić, Faye Ryan
Assistant DirectorSara Del Barba
Production ManagerMaximilian Becht
ProducerMatthias Greving
Creative ProducersJanina Sara Hennemann, Emina Smajić
Executive ProducerKirsten Lukaczik
Co-ProducerIgor Dovgal
Co-ProductionFilmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Ludwigsburg
Essence Film
SWR/Arte

Produced by

KINESCOPE FILM

Bremen, Germany

kinescopefilm.de kinescopefilm.de

Milena Aboyan

A Yazidi Kurd born in Armenia, she began studying acting in Germany in 2010 and was involved in several theatre productions. After receiving her acting degree, she changed her focus to writing and worked as an assistant dramaturge on an early-evening series on the German ARD TV channel. In 2015, she took up a degree in screenwriting at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. Elaha is her debut feature film as a director.

Filmography

2016 Die Vertreibung der Elefanten; short film 2017 Sonne scheint über August; short film · Was bleibt; short film 2018 Der Greteltrick; short film 2023 Elaha

Dates

Sat Feb 18 12:00

Cubix 2

Screening for press and industry professionals | With accreditation only

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Sat Feb 18 19:00

International

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Sun Feb 19 10:00

Cubix 6

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Mon Feb 20 16:30

Zoo Palast 3

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Mon Feb 20 16:30

Zoo Palast 4

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Mon Feb 20 16:30

Zoo Palast 5

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Tue Feb 21 21:30

Filmtheater am Friedrichshain

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